Be Your Own Shaman is the title of Jane Barlow Christensen's book she co-authored with her son, teaching people how to identify, harvest and use the medicinal plants found all around us. It is beautiful, hard cover book, full of pictures to make identifying as easy as possible. Jane talks about how her own father taught her and her siblings to recognize and appreciate the plants that are often already available in our yards to help support the human body. She tells a story about riding in the ca...
Jul 01, 2025•51 min
Friend of the podcast and host of A Tiny Homestead podcast Mary Lewis is back! Mary approached me as things started to feel out of hand for a lot of people, and wanted to offer some tips to make things stretch farther and feel less scary that she's learned since starting her homestead journey. We're talking about some easy stuff, but if we focus on it, will make life feel more smooth, and gives (us at least) a feeling of accomplishment. Mary is a podcasting machine - she puts out several episode...
Jun 24, 2025•37 min
I told Josh Dorfman when we started talking that I felt a little intimidated talking with him, because he is so accomplished in the sustainability field, but he has THE best stories from his life, getting him to where he is today - you're going to love this, I'm sure of it! Josh's story goes back to working for a bike company in China several years ago, but I'm not going to tell you his story, because he does it so much better- just listen, it's exciting! His mission is to show that we should be...
Jun 17, 2025•48 min
"Sustainable living is a celebration of creativity, kindness, and the natural world in every day life" A quote from Lisa Allen of The Good Spark Shop in California, and (since we recorded this) is now rebranded as EverFar, focusing on sustainable travel essentials. She is just so inspiring when she talks about all things eco-friendly! First The Good Spark Shop, where she curated the best products around; checking ingredients and labels for you, so there's no questioning quality and origin. And n...
Jun 10, 2025•49 min
Elizabeth has a gift for Grounded in Maine listeners - she's offering a free habit tracker here: http://createwellnessproject.com/gift/ You can send me messages(this is new!)! Support the show Please follow Grounded In Maine podcast on Instagram here YouTube channel link is here You can DM me there or email me at [email protected] Website for Amy's Garden Jam is https://amysgardenjam.com/ (podcast has its own tab on this site!) Amy's email newsletter: https://amy-fagan.kit.com/499688fe6a H...
Jun 03, 2025•49 min
I had so much fun, and learned a ton from this conversation with Greg Peterson of the Great American Seed Up and the Urban Farm Podcast! If you've been listening for a while, you know that podcasters are great conversationalists, and can be very entertaining - Greg is no exception! Greg's podcast has about 900 (nine hundred!) episodes since the end of 2015! Greg has been on a mission since he was 15 years old to figure out how to fix the broken food system, and has been running the Great America...
May 27, 2025•53 min
When Sam Baker approached me about talking about the product he represents, worm casting tea, and also mentioned that WiggleBrew has tested and discovered that earthworms can actually "EAT PLASTIC," it was a no-brainer- I couldn't wait to hear more about that! As a big fan of worm compost (vermicompost), I was very excited to promote the crap (pun intended) out of WiggleBrew, and Sam didn't disappoint. He was talking to me from an Agriculture conference in Chicago, where he presented WiggleBrew,...
May 20, 2025•42 min
I totally cheated and used most of what I got in Diana's Bio, because I just couldn't even try to do better - she is just that varied and awesome! This conversation went deep, and I got a little uncomfortable when the questions turned to me... But she is SO easy to talk to, because she's REAL; she's BEEN THERE, and made it through. A luxury hotel, 15 best selling books and more - Diana Stobo is the whole package Diana Stobo is a visionary in the global health and wellness industry, celebrated fo...
May 13, 2025•1 hr
It's been a while since I've done a solo episode, and there's a lot to catch up on! I changed my last name, for one - literally the day I recorded this with Jen. I've got a weekly newsletter - it's not long, and it's not a sales pitch - literally just keeping in touch. Social media algorithms are wonky, and are not our own, and I would definitely miss people if we lost them! I deleted my Facebook account because I was seeing less of what I wanted it for daily. I want to buy a farm; I attached a ...
May 08, 2025•23 min
This week I'm talking with Mark Ellwood, Time Management Guru and Founder of Pace Productivity. Mark talks about his interest in productivity, stemming from his childhood paper route, and we explore his innovative time management device, the TimeCorder. Mark shares key insights from his 35 years of research, revealing that women tend to manage their time better than men in the workplace. Mark shares practical strategies for effective stress management and actionable tips to take control of one's...
May 06, 2025•46 min
I had a whole different idea of where this conversation would go with Geeta Sidhu-Robb, and I am thrilled to have been wrong about that! I was so happily surprised at the direction, talking about taking your power back, and how menopause is a GIFT to women, because for possibly the first time in our lives, we are forced to put our own needs first - and that was definitely not a thought I had about menopause... Not too long ago Geeta was a newly divorced mom of 3, homeless without a solid plan. T...
Apr 29, 2025•53 min
After speaking with Dr Marlene Siegel, more than ever, I want to clone her and help every caring pet parent get the best possible health care for their fur and feathered babies. If you're a pet parent like me, you've probably wondered from time to time if you're giving the best care to your pet. Dr Siegel will set things straight, from her 40 years of experience studying and treating different animals, and heartbreaking and heart warming stories. Dr Siegel always knew she would work with animals...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 12 min
I loved meeting Brittany Hansen so much; it was such a gift spending time with her because she is a very well-rounded person! Brittany lives in Idaho with her spouse and children on 1/3 acre, and she is homesteading - or as she calls it Micro-homesteading, but it is totally effective! And some cool tips for city folks were shared, because she is using every inch of space, and has created a sharing community where she is, so she can access locally grown or made items, and offer some in return. We...
Apr 15, 2025•48 min
I love so much that there are people in the fashion world who find fault with it, and have ideas how it could be made better - Victoria Scholz is that person, and her opinions feel so spot on to me - at least, a lot of the things she talks about are things I've noticed and wish someone would fix. Victoria's brand is called House of Dodos, and she just a couple of weeks ago completed her Masters in Sustainable Fashion. She's learning a lot about the history of fashion, and also finding ways she w...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min
I briefly met Alyce Rose/AKA Ms Thrifty Rose/AKA Auntie Outside this January at Podfest, and I saw a post of hers where she advertised her 1st Wednesday Thrift Nic, and my podcaster radar alarm sounded - I had to hear more about this thrifting business - and boy did I! Alyce is CONNECTED, and she has an energy that you just want to be around - and she makes things happen! I just love Alyce's attitude that she doesn't worry about what others think. Her message she wants you to remember her for: "...
Apr 01, 2025•39 min
I found Clara Franken in a podcast newsletter, and started listening that morning to her podcast, Travel Devil, and the first episode I listened to was about the Trash Traveler; a man who travels and brings attention to himself by cleaning up the area, and I knew I wanted to hear all about what else she's learned hosting a podcast all about sustainable travel. Clara lives in Germany, but is from Belgium, so she travels a lot, but she mostly travels by train, or "slow" travel, as she calls it. An...
Mar 25, 2025•47 min
Y'all, this is very personal, and I'm so happy to have some of my closest friends join me to chat up our special place, Growing to Give. Growing to Give is a climate-friendly, volunteer-driven, nonprofit farming operation in Brunswick, Maine, that grows certified-organic vegetables for donation. I invited my friends Karin Sorensen, Robin Knight and Mary Aveno to help me to chat up our favorite non-profit where we all had the honor of helping to grow organic produce to donate to local food pantri...
Mar 20, 2025•38 min
I have to say, I was so impressed with myself for getting through this conversation with sensation in my toes - I'm a total baby talking about blood and stuff, and I expected to have a hard time with it, but I was too interested to get queasy, I guess. Even the 2nd time listening to edit, it was still so fascinating! Feeling very lucky that Melissa Meadow crossed my Instagram feed. This opened my eyes to a ton of new information that's available. Melissa Meadow started her career early, and has ...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Do you know about Solar Thermal energy?? I didn't, either; I've heard of solar panels, solar farms, Community Solar... but not solar thermal. Enter Dan Razumovski, of Sun Catch Solar Thermal, out of Colorado! This might be more of a business or farm purchase- they're pricy, and take up a good amount of space, but it's a newer technology- and it's very cool! It stores electricity, so that if power goes out, you can still power your home for a week! If you're interested in solar thermal, though, D...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min
I met Christopher Reynolds through Podmatch, and, as I usually do, I followed him on Instagram and TikTok to see what he's about, and his message is so beautiful. His stories are meaningful and deep, and you can't help but be drawn in and want to support whatever he's putting out. Christopher is a high-end landscape designer, and he discovered for himself what a powerful addition native plants are to his design. He encourages everyone to plant natives wherever we can - just add a few even, to ad...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Crystal McLain and I go back a few years, and she's been a great source of much needed "woo" in my world, and that has saved my bacon what feels like a million times. So I'm sharing one of my personal sustainability resources here... Crystal is a licensed Massage Therapist slash podcaster - her podcast has the same title as this episode. Her episodes are easy to listen to and forgiving. And I'll say it until I die, she has the cutest giggle. I personally am afraid of being seen as an imposter of...
Feb 25, 2025•55 min
Anjel B Hartwell and I are talking about planning a sustainable business, and no one better for this conversation than the Wealthy Life Mentor! Anjel has had ALL the experiences in business, and she uses them to make her the mentor that she is. She tells us how she started and about choices she made that weren't ideal, but still shaped her and added to her understanding. And that brings the wisdom to guide others. Anjel is a member of the New England Podcasters Group - that's how I got to know h...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min
I really enjoyed learning about Cleaner Safer Water from Mark Miller, the CEO and Founder of this affordable, lifetime water filtration system. It just makes sense to have something like this in case of power outage. I'm still in awe of not having to buy filters for it ever, AND that it can provider water for up to 300 people! 1 system could take care of a whole neighborhood! Mark tells us all about the system, and gives some examples of how it works, and how helpful it has been for people who h...
Feb 11, 2025•47 min
Oh my gosh, Lynne Bowman was such a pleasure to spend time with! She is an absolute hoot, full of energy, and is adamant that we NOT diet - we should be eating intentionally, for enjoyment. She'll tell us all about it in this conversation. We're talking about preventing chronic disease and being overall healthy and happy! When asked what message Lynne wanted people to get from this conversation, she simply said "eat joyfully." And she brags about her gorgeous new cookbook Brownies For Breakfast,...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 14 min
I had so much fun talking with Matthew Lesko! He's encouraging people to apply for grants to fund big ticket upgrades, updates, etc. He says "the money's there; YOU might as well have it!" He worked for 50 years for the wealthy, finding them more money, but now is helping the underdog to get ahead, because he can. He says it doesn't pay him a lot, but he actually feels good about his work now. Matthew is a trip! He has more energy than 5 people - he hosts almost daily a live chat with up to 15,0...
Jan 28, 2025•34 min
Merrymeeting Food Council reached out to me to ask if we could help to get the word out about their Farm Skills Program, because the deadline to apply for the next cohort is this Saturday, February 1. If you miss this cohort, they will still take applications for the next. Maine has set a BIG goal of eliminating food insecurity by 2030 (FIVE YEARS), and their plan includes growing more locally. Have you thought about farming at all, or gardening large scale? This is an incredible opportunity in ...
Jan 26, 2025•35 min
The algorithm was just right not too long ago that I happened upon Seb Jagoe's Instagram reel and became obsessed with his excitement and vast knowledge about soil and growing. It's always a little nerve wracking to reach out cold to a stranger, but this time, at least, Seb was just so gracious to talk with me and share this message. I've had many conversations about soil health on the podcast, but Seb's energy alone is exciting, and different. He talks about the history of soil health, and also...
Jan 21, 2025•51 min
I've been following Angela Hollowell for a couple of years now on Linkedin, and admiring all that she's doing with her podcast Honey and Hustle, and her writing and now documentary film making. When she said she's joined a new group that she's excited about and asked if anyone wanted to hear about it, I saw my chance and said YES PLEASE! She recently joined Dogwood Alliance - info is below: Dogwood Alliance is an environmental nonprofit organization based in Asheville, North Carolina . The group...
Jan 14, 2025•45 min
Bronwyn Holm is an international speaker and spokesperson for Earth Food, a product of living microbiomes to feed our soil, and at the same time battle food insecurity and turn our health issues around. HOW, you ask? Bron talks at length of the benefits of Earth Food in this conversation, and she is SO proud of its capabilities, and rightfully so! She is sharing her message of saving our soil, which will raise the nutritional value of the food that we buy and make - even as a lazy farmHER (Bron'...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 21 min
This conversation with Laura Hartley was like medicine for my soul - I hope this helps you to feel seen, too, because it was a message that I didn't expect or know that I needed to hear! I told Laura that I've felt a call to be more involved in what's happening in the world, but I lack the confidence to stand up when the time comes, and she actually has a course/program coming up in January to help people like me to steward our power and find empowerment and passion and education! Laura Hartley ...
Dec 31, 2024•48 min
